Absence of conflict of interest.
Citation
Highlights
- The study's objective was to assess businesses’ perceptions of apprenticeships and their financial effects.
- The authors collected data from all apprenticeship programs in North Carolina through the North Carolina Apprenticeship Program Survey. This survey assessed how businesses perceive their apprenticeship programs. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the survey results.
- The study found that most survey respondents were satisfied with the financial impacts of apprenticeship programs, noting increased employee skills flexibility and productivity. On average, apprenticeship programs had a positive return-on-investment for respondents' businesses.
- The study did not discuss analysis methods or statistical procedures used to evaluate the survey findings and therefore did not mention any statistical significance of the findings.
Intervention Examined
North Carolina Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs
Features of the Intervention
Registered Apprenticeship programs involve apprentices participating in work-based learning and related classroom instruction in pursuit of a nationally recognized credential for a particular occupation. Apprenticeship programs serve any individuals interested in gaining necessary skills and experiences in pursuit of their desired occupation. In North Carolina, ApprenticeshipNC, the North Carolina Community College System’s apprenticeship program, works with employers and other organizations to establish and develop registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in the state. The study examined all apprenticeship programs across North Carolina, comprising a variety of industries and specific requirements for program completion.
Features of the Study
The study used data from a non-random sample of businesses representing all apprenticeship programs in North Carolina. The Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services (CUACS) at NC State University administered the North Carolina Apprenticeship Program Survey to businesses that employ registered apprentices across the state. CUACS first sent the survey as a link via email to the businesses and then conducted follow-up by phone for individuals who did not respond. Of the 683 program representatives contacted, the authors received responses from businesses representing 297 programs, comprising 280 apprenticeship programs and 17 pre-apprenticeship programs from over 58 counties. The survey inquired about businesses’ perceptions of their apprenticeship programs, the costs and benefits, and the return-on-investment. The authors summarized the survey findings using descriptive statistics. The study did not discuss the analysis methods used to examine the survey findings.
Findings
- The study found that 82% of survey respondents were satisfied with the financial impacts of the program on their business. Apprenticeship programs were praised for enhancing employees' skill flexibility and boosting productivity, as well as helping employers find qualified candidates more easily and retaining employees.
- Most respondents (85%) reported that their apprenticeship programs provide a net benefit to their business. Reported net benefits were high across sectors: manufacturing (88%), construction (84%), and other sectors (81%).
- Among the 42 programs that reported apprentice compensation, training costs, and value added, the programs had an average value add of $1.70 for each $1 of investment in the apprentices. Of these 42 respondents, 86% indicated that they reached a positive return-on-investment by the end of the average apprenticeship.
- Among the 34 programs that reported compensation and productivity data on apprentices and journeyworkers, 91% indicated they reached a positive return-on-investment after one year of employment for the average journeyworker and 94% indicated such after two years.
- Average annual training costs were highest for the manufacturing sector ($14,600), followed by construction ($7,800) and other sectors ($7,600).
- Of the 17 pre-apprenticeship program respondents, 88% indicated satisfaction with their program and 82% indicated that their programs had a net benefit for their business.
Considerations for Interpreting the Findings
The study used descriptive statistics but did not detail their analysis methods or statistical procedures used to evaluate the survey findings. Therefore, there is no mention of any statistically significant findings. The study also does not provide information on the characteristics of the individuals from the businesses that completed the survey (e.g., gender, age, race/ethnicity, career level).